Same-Sex Parents Featured in Picture Book Series

By Maryann Yin 

The Dad Dad Mom Mom picture book series tells the stories of families with same-sex parents. The video embedded above features the book trailer for the publisher’s new book, Stork M.I.A. (written and illustrated by Sandro Isaack). In the book, two same-sex couples  search for the Stork to start a family.

The company subscribes to this philosophy: “Census data shows that 25% of same-sex couples in the U.S. are raising children, and there are other more progressive countries with even larger numbers. This large number of children is reading mostly books from ‘borrowed’ universes. Dad Dad Mom Mom intends to create a universe for these children – their own universe in which the main characters happen to be same gender couples and their kids. Dad Dad Mom Mom has no political agenda. It was created for the children and to ease communication between same-gender couples and their children. Children of Not same-gender couples are also welcome.”

Earlier this week, we covered the debate about the future of the picture book. Some industry professionals theorize that standardized testing culture pressures parents to avoid picture books. It would be interesting if President Barack Obama and Pope Benedict XVI–two world leaders who have authored picture books –would weigh in on the subject.